I Got You Babe

Memory on repeat. When I stepped out this morning, sparkling, intense rays hit my face in a big sunshine kiss, warming me up inside and out. It was actually the happiest moment of my groundhog's day.

Choose Love

Making it a habitual practice to choose love changed Lara, the wiring of her brain, and her entire life perspective regarding what is important. Through her example I've learned there is one single action that has the power to transform negativity to positivity …disconnection to connection: Choosing love—choosing love as much as you humanly can.

Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my consistent seeking to become a more loving, and more grateful version of myself unless I first accept myself. And tonight at my sister's 49th birthday party I got the feeling there is more joy, more connection, more passion, more creativity, more conversation, and more healing waiting to be in accepting myself as I am. I cannot think of a better month than February to make a habitual practice of choosing love. I am blogging about a Choose Love 12-Day Challenge. Take a look. Maybe I will already have surpassed myself …

{Todd + Lara = Love}

• Because good things start with love
• Sometimes without a smile
• Sometimes feeling ugly or worthless or inadequate
• Sometimes alone and scared
• Sometimes when she doesn't know what she is doing
• Sometimes it's the last thing she wants to do
• Sometimes when she doesn't have any more patience
• Sometimes when she had no love to give

Lara still choose love, despite the obstacle of having cancer return to her body...despite the excuses she could have made...despite the mean surgery that will take out another part of her body, she continually shows love. Why? Because she never leaves the same way she arrives. 

She walks away a little lighter...a little more at peace...a little more hopeful...a little more grateful...a little more joyful. Love is always the right choice. She has never once regretted choosing love over all else. She has become The One she always wanted to be...

A listener

A hugger

A forgiver

A shopper

A risk taker

A silly grinner

A liver of Life

You Are The Light

What If There Is No Tomorrow?

There wasn't one today. 

Do you remember that line from Bill Murray's character, Phil, in the movie Groundhog's Day? And, how in it, Phil becomes the good guy who performs selfless acts of kindness, not manipulatively, but for their own sake. This, naturally, wins him the love of the whole town, and, of Rita. And not surprisingly, he comes to love himself. “No matter what happens tomorrow, or for the rest of my life,” Phil tells Rita, “I’m happy now because I love you.”

I am happy to look my children in the eyes and step into their world.

And to remember what my heart loves to do and then stop making excuses.

To close my eyes in gratitude and open my eyes wide in wonder.

I am happy when I have face-to-face, soul-to-soul connection with the ones who share my life.

I am happy to

read a book.

Play in the snow.

Say, “Take your time,” and mean it.

I promise to

Give a good kiss.

Leave a surprise note.

Do absolutely nothing every now and then.

And to

Rest

Laugh

Play

Wait

Dream

And breathe.

And breathe.

So I can truly live.

It’s been real. My journey has not been perfect. Sometimes I stumble, but I get back up by reminding myself that my to-do list doesn’t contain the most important tasks of the day. It is my heart that tells me what I need to survive and thrive—as long as I stop long enough to listen.

I have the power to save a life and so do you.